Sheriff's and animal welfare officials seized 92 neglected animals from a rural farm southeast of Yelm.
Among the animals were 88 miniature horses and mules, two goats, a cow and a llama. They were being kept on about 29 acres at 22303 Piessner Road S.E. near Clear Lake, said Lt. Brad Watkins of the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.
"Obviously the herd of miniature horses and donkeys ... had some medical issues," he said. Some had split hooves, some appeared malnourished and about a dozen mares appeared pregnant.
Nearby residents have complained for several years about the condition of the farm's miniature horse herd.
The Thurston County Sheriff's Office began an investigation in May 2002 after an area resident called about a miniature horse that was having trouble giving birth, Watkins said.
Deputies, county Animal Services staff and members of Hooved Animal Rescue of Thurston County responded.
When they were unable to help the mare, they called veterinarian John Dugan of Dugan Equine Hospital in Roy.
Dugan was unable to save the foal. But the mare, which also needed medical attention, was impounded. During the incident, officials noticed medical problems in other animals and launched an investigation, Watkins said.
Armed with a search warrant, deputies, Animal Services staff, members of Hooved Animal Rescue and other volunteers showed up on the morning of May 23 at the pasture on Piessner Road. The animals that appeared to be most in need of attention were taken first to Dugan's clinic.
By the end of the day, all the animals had been seized and removed. All were examined at Dugan Equine Hospital.
Many were underweight, and some were in bad shape, Marlisa Dugan said.
About 30 mares appear to be the breeding stock, seven had nursing foals and others were pregnant. One gave birth the following morning, and several more were expected to give birth in the coming days, she said.
"But they're all really thin," Dugan said.
Deputies found evidence of neglect, but no evidence of abuse, Watkins said.
Hooved Animal Rescue will be caring for the animals and all have foster homes. Case Updates| Days before her trial was scheduled to begin, Dusty pleaded guilty to 6 counts of animal cruelty. She was finded $1,000, sentenced to 30 days in jail and forced to surrender all of the animals. Under the terms of her sentence, she is not allowed to own or care for hooved animals for 2 years, the longest term availavle under the law. Any violation of these terms could result in up to 490 days in jail. | Source: Nisqually Valley News - September 6, 2002
Update posted on Aug 3, 2005 - 1:15AM |
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Back to Top References | The Olympian, Olympia Washington - May 25, 2002 |
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